Thunderbirds ready to star in Japanese science exhibition

ITV Studios Global Entertainment's Classic Thunderbirds will star at a major new exhibition in Japan this summer.

Running from July 10th to September 23rd, the exhibition is called Thunderbirds and The Future of Science and will be held at Miraikan, Tokyo's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation.

The exhibition will have four main attractions: an advanced technology display, a Thunderbirds 3D theatre, a Thunderbirds gallery and an interactive Thunderbirds attraction.

Co-sponsored by a number of major Japanese companies, including Fuji Television and Tohokushinsha Film Corporation, the show is supported by a range of Japanese ministries and put together with the help of many Japanese media, science and search and rescue groups.

Kentaro Yoshida, executive officer of TFC, Japanese agent for the Classic Thunderbirds brand, said: "Miraikan with the help of so many of the big names behind technological innovation in Japan, has done a great job of creating an exhibition that will appeal to a wide range of age groups.

"And of course Thunderbirds, with its enormous following in Japan, is the perfect vehicle for the exhibition.

"With its 50th anniversary coming in 2015 it still looks futuristic."

Trudi Hayward, SVP head of global merchandising, ITV Studios global entertainment, said: "This exhibition not only celebrates the enduring popularity of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's creation but shows just how ingenious and far-sighted the Thunderbirds series was.

"Bringing Thunderbirds technology and today's technology together is a great way to introduce visitors of all ages to the scientific advances that are changing their lives today - and, of course, it's also a lot of fun."

Japan has been one of the biggest Thunderbirds markets outside the UK from the early days of the series.

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